Sanja studying in Sri Lanka to be a medical physicist engineer

By YVONNE KAMBIBEL
SANJA Ipu is pursuing a masters in medical physics engineering at the University of Colombo in Sri Lanka.
Father-of-two Sanja, 29, is from Wanimas village in the North Topak area of Tsak Valley, Wapenamanda district, Enga.
The course he is pursuing specialises in radiotherapy machine calibrations, quality assurance checks and machine commissioning.
Sanja and his colleagues were sponsored by the Port Moresby General Hospital’s cancer institute to study in Sri Lanka.
He hopes to return home later this year to witness the opening of the hospital’s cancer facility currently under construction.
Sanja graduated with a degree in radiation and physics at the University of Technology in 2018 and completed his two-year internship as a clinical physicist at the Angau Memorial General Hospital in Lae in March 2020.
He was selected last year for studies at the faculty of nuclear science at the University of Colombo.
Sri Lanka has helping PNG in the development of cancer treatments.
“The country in recent years has become a study destination for many in the field of oncology (cancer management).
Last year, a Sri Lankan radiation oncologist accepted an offer from the Lae cancer facility and is now working at the Angau Memorial General Hospital in the development and replacement of radioactive sources (cobalt) for radiotherapy.”
Sanja is enjoying life Sri Lanka. Recently, he celebrated Sri Lanka’s Independence Day which coincided with the 2600th anniversary of Buddha.
“I was very privileged to join the celebrations with my colleagues at the university. It was a very emotional experience for me as I was the only Papua New Guinean to take part in the celebrations that lasted one week.”
The Sri Lankans normally go to a mountain to celebrate for one week – a popular tourist destination.
“The main reason I joined the celebrations was to show my gratitude to a country that is helping train cancer specialists who will come back to treat cancer patients in PNG.

“ After studying, I would like to carry out awareness on the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer and also push for provincial hospitals to have diagnostic test services for cancer so that people can go for early diagnosis and treatment because they save lives.”

“After studying, I would like to carry out awareness on the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer and also push for provincial hospitals to have diagnostic test services for cancer so that people can go for early diagnosis and treatment because they save lives.”
Studying in Sri Lanka has given Sanja a lot of opportunities to meet new people from all walks of life and culture.
The threat of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic is not stopping the Enga man from pursuing his masters.
“I hope to graduate with flying colors and return home as a medical physicist engineer – specialising in commissioning, calibrating and inspecting cancer treatment machines and help cancer facilities in the country treat cancer patients.”
His advice to young people is that their future is not defined by their present status.
“Keep aiming high and work towards your goals.”
Sanja thanks all those who supported his trip to Sri Lanka.
“To the Port Moresby Hospital chief executive officer Dr Pake Molumi, I wish to thank you and the hospital management for your tremendous efforts in training us nationals to be specialists in this field of cancer.
I also acknowledge Sikin Mark Yakka, one of Wapenamanda’s leaders and the father to all students in the district, for his investment and support.”